I have a Asus P5E-VM HDMI in my htpc and so far just have been using the onboard sound - not a permanent solution just something to get me up and running for now. I wanted to try sending optical to my receiver to see what improvements there are. I thought I was losing my mind when I couldn't find the optical jack on the back. I know it has optical audio, it says so in the manual. Turns out it has a header on the mobo for optical audio. So I need to get a S/PDIF jack that presumably mounts in a card slot cover, any ideas on where I can get one?

I just did some quick searching and most agree with you, that there is no difference. Some argue that coax is slightly better but optical is better for long distances but that doesn't apply to me. I'll have to give it a go... anything special I need for a cable would any RCA do?

Got it hooked up and notice a significant difference in the amount of noise which was mostly what I was hoping for. Oddly I notice a difference in sound too, sounds more crisp and airy if that doesn't sound too weird. I wasn't expecting any SQ differences since I'm only using a pair of el cheapo boombox bookshelf speakers ATM. An added bonus. Can't wait to get my proper speakers built now!